The Book of the Cauldron

I really loved this one. I liked the first two - a lot - also, but this was a humdinger! This is such an original retelling of the legends, and the first that really makes sense to me even though I've always loved the Arthurian stories. Paxson has a real genius for delving into the back-story of the stories we all think we know - and coming up with plausible explanations for much of what is puzzling to modern minds, even while seeming to remain true to the ancient culture. A great exercise in fantasy. And there are moments of real beauty here too. I could have wished the book were longer - but it's the economy that gives her retelling such impact; she just goes to the heart of each important scene, and then moves on, so the reader is left with a series of really vivid images; and this method is so appropriate to the nature of the Arthurian legend, whose truth comes to us in glimpses, through the distortions of history. This is a wonderful writer.

I finished "the Book of the Cauldron" in record time. This was a strong third in the series, with even better character development than the earlier two volumes. The persona of Morgause, especially, is delightfully wicked and motivated. Ms. Paxson knows her 'women's magic' well, and it shows. Why in the world this publisher is not promoting these books better is a mystery to me. They rate a hardback contract, not to mention a bright, solid boxed-set presentation. Hello-o! This is a world-class writer you've got here: these books have cross-over potential, they are deep and well-researched, and not genre-fantasy at all. Maybe they could be classified as visionary history. Pay attention! This is more careful work than "Mists of Avalon", which sold so well mostly on the basis of its cover art.